Luggage



April 13, 1943. J 155 2,316,716

LUGGAGE Filed July 26, 1940 INVENTOR HEP/WAN I AWL- 5 sv wf w ATTORN Y Patented Apr. 13, 1943 2,316,716 LUGGAGE Herman J. Rios, New York, N. Y., assignor to Percy W. Valentine, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 26, 1940, Serial No. 347,602

Claims.

This invention relates to luggage of different types, styles and contours and adapted for different uses; and the object of the invention is to provide various types and kinds of cases, bags or containers having what might be termed a basket or tray portion including a U-shaped frame in connection with which one or more container parts are hingedly coupled to form of said parts and basket or tray portion, a complete case, bag or other container in which different types and kinds of articles of merchandise, apparel and the like may be packed for shipment and transportation; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in luggage of the class and for the purpose specified, which is sim-.

ple in construction, efficient in use, and which is is constructed as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a. part, in which the separate parts of my invention are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of lug-. gage which I employ, diagrammatically illustrating the general arrangement of the parts in open position. v 1

' Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view showing the frame structure of another form, of case which I employ.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. other adaptation ofv the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a basket or tray frame part slightly diiferent from similar'part's as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, but illustrating the same detached with respect to other closure parts of the container.

2 showin an- Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view illustrating" the manner of detachably hinging the cover of the container with the basket or tray'p'art', with the parts uncovered, lined or faced; and

Fig. 6 is' a diagrammatic sectional view through a case substantially of the type illustrated in" Fig. 1, showing only the frame structure thereof with one part detached and diagrammatically illustrating a use of the luggage.

In the construction of various types and kinds of suitcases, hat boxes, shoe boxes, overnight cases, including the larger type of luggage, it has been the customary procedure to'hingedly coupletwo case parts directly to each other. In'most instances, these hinged couplings were-perms: nent, thus rendering the packing of the indeendent case parts difilcult and unhan'dy. It is the purpose of my invention to construct luggage in a manner to form what may be termed a basket or tray portion which would either form one end or side or a two-part or a central spacing or partitioning member of three-part luggage. With a structure of this type an kind, and by changing the size and contour of the basket or tray portion, unlimited ty es and kinds 01' combinations of types" and kinds of apparel containers may be formed; that isto' say, containers that would serve the purpose of packing a varied or complete line of apparel. 0n the other hand, specialized cases for the transportation of special types of apparel, such as hats and shoes may be provided. Still further, containers of this type and kind may be utilized in a practical manner for the packing, shipment or transportation of merchandise of any type and kind, and particularly sample goods; thus adapting such containers and/or mggage for use by salesmen and others. In some instances, the same container or luggage may also be used for the storage and transportation of wearing apparel.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown more or less diagrammatically, the general frame structure of :certain types' and kinds of luggage or containers to illustrate some :of the many adaptations of the invention. In Fig. I and partly in Fig. 6, some of the; hardware, fixtures or fittings are indicated. From this standpoint, however, it will be apparent that the fixtures, fi tings, or hardware may be modified and varied to suit the many types, kinds and sizes of cases employed. It will also be apparent that the shapes of the various parts will suit the various stylingsof luggage or containers.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing is shown one form of luggage made according to my invention, and in said figure, I'D represents the intermediate basket or tray part, H one ofthe cover container arts, and lZanother cover or container part. The part Incomprises a" rectangular bottom wall is having upstanding side peripheral Walls" i4 and end walls 15". The latter include upwardly extending frame extensions Iii joined by a top crosshead I'I forming of the parts l6, l1, What may betermeda U -shaped frame. All of the protruding edges of theparts' I4; l5; It and H, are grooved as seen at lt t'o" receive the peripheral walls l9 and 20 ofth'e part ll and the walls 21, 22 of the part 12, in forming a finished coupling and interlocking of-all of the, parts 18, H and I2 when inclosed position;

v mterengaginghssos or other coupling devices 2 3 are provided on the-women, 22' of the parts H and I2 engaging companion devices 24 on the wall I I in retaining all of the case parts in closed position. Suitable locks 25 may also be employed to retain the parts against unauthorized opening, as in other luggage now in common use.

At 26 is shown a suitable handle for carrying the luggage which is arranged upon the wall IT, and other fastening devices 21 may be employed to secure the walls 22 of the larger part I2 in firm engagement with the walls I6 of the part It? at each end of the case.

In constructing a piece of luggage of the various covered types and kinds, such as leather, imitation leather, canvas and the like, the various parts will be faced and lined with the material employed. However, this phase of theinvention has been eliminated simplyfrom the standpoint of eliminating unnecessary illustration in the drawing.

At this time I also wish to mention that insofar as the various case parts are concerned, where rounded corners are required, these parts may be made in accordance with the teachings in my prior Patent #2,181,912 dated December 5, 1939. Insofar as the present invention is concerned, I am not limited in any Way as to the particular manner of constructing the various parts or the material employed in the construction thereof.

In order to illustrate certain adaptations of the invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing a few partition members 28 in the right-hand portion of the part II] as seen in said figure, for forming compartments for the storage of various types and kinds of articles. On the inner face of the part I I are shown two large fiaps 29 detachably coupled by snap fasteners or the like 30 to form a flexible or semi-flexible enclosure for articles supported upon the irmer surface of the part II. The purpose of the flaps 29 is to retain the apparel in neat arrangement upon the part II and also to prevent displacement therefrom when the part II is swung upon its hinge into open and closed positions.

In referring to the hinge, each of the parts II and I2 may have a hinge structure of the type and kind illustrated in Fig. in which figure a portion of the part III is shown and a portion of the part II. The part III would have on its wall I4 a hinge butt 3I having spaced bearings 32 joined by a pintle pin 33, whereas the part I I will have a butt portion 34 having a central hookshaped or semi-circular bearing 35 adapted to engage the pin 33 between the bearings 32 so that the part II may be detachable from the part Ill when the part II is in a position similar to that shown in Fig. 5, and further so'that when the hinge butts are coupled and the part I I is moved into horizontal position as seen in Fig. 1 or into a closed position, a permanent hinge coupling is provided between the parts III and II. By employing this detachablehinge structure, the part II as well as the part I2 may be detached from the part III and moved to any desired position for packing or unpacking, thus facilitating these operations.

In the structure in Fig. l, I have also shown at 36 a hanger rod including an extension 31 upon which garment hangers 38 may be attached. At 39 is shown a garment folding and supporting frame hinged to slide plates 40 movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the lower ends of the parts I3, so that this frame may be swung outwardly into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing to suspend garments as indicated in dotted lines at from a number of hangers 38 over the edge of a table 42 or other support, as diagrammatically shown in said figure.

In Fig. 6 the part II has been shown as removed from the part III, whereas a portion of the part I2 is shown still coupled with the part Ill.

It will be understood that in packing the garments, such as dresses indicated by the dotted lines II, the hangers 38 are moved onto the part 36. The part 31 is then swung into closed position; after which the frame is swung upwardly and moved inwardly to maintain the dresses in folded and compact relationship within the wall parts I6, I1 of the part I0.

In the construction shown in Fig. l of the drawing, the part I2 has in addition to the walls 2I, 22, a bottom wall or closure 22a. A rectangular wire frame 43 is hlngedly coupled with the walls 2| adjacent the wall 22 and has thereon fabric straps 44 arranged in crossed relationship to form supports for hats as well as means for retaining hats or other articles of apparel within the part I2. If desired, the inner surfaces of the walls 2I may have flexible pockets 45 for receiving shoes or other articles of apparel as in other luggage of conventional construction.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that luggage of the type and kind shown in Fig. 1 and also illustrated in Fig. 6, is adapted for use in storing various types and kinds of apparel including toilet articles 'and accessory articles. While the case as illustrated is designed primarily for use by women, the same general structural features may be utilized in different forms of cases to be applicable for the storage of mens apparel. In this connection, the various parts would be fitted to provide suitable storage compartments for the different types and kinds of apparel; that is to say, to provide shirt compartments, shoe compartments, tie compartments, etc., in addition to the suit and trouser supporting and hanging portion which constitutes the central part In of the luggage. In the different uses, the luggage itself may be utilized, when placed upon a table or other support, as a means for hanging the garments when other hanging means are not available.

It will be understood that the dimensions of the wall portions I6 and I1 and contour thereof, may be modified to suit the various type and kinds of luggage which are desired. In some instances, these walls may be made comparatively thin for supporting a single suit or. two or three dresses. In other instances, it will be made of larger capacity for the storage of several suits and many dresses, coats, and the like. In the same respect, the size and contour of the other case parts II and I2 may be modified. Then again, in the construction of cases designed for other and more special uses, the structure of the part II] may be materially modified.

In Fig. 2 of the drawing, I havesubstituted for the part III, a part Illa haVing anupwardly extending U-frame 46 made up .of wall parts generally similar to the parts I6 and I! but much narrower in width so that the parts. would simply form a partitioning or spacing member between the other case parts a and I2a. Fig. 2 discloses what might be termed a .combination hat and shoe case, the. part I2a forming the hat receiving and storage compartment, whereas the part Ila forms the shoe storage. compartment., In the latter instance the part III; may be sub-divided by longitudinal and transverse partitions 41 into a series ofshoe receiving compartments, each of a size preferablytoreceive at least one pair of shoes. In this construction,

the part Illa or the chamber portion 48 thereof may be used for supporting and storing other articles of apparel or various accessory articles such as toilet goods, as may be required.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing is shown another adaptation of the invention wherein I have substituted for the part H) or the part Illa, a part lllb in ,which the upstanding frame portion 49 of which includes a closure wall 50 so as to convert the extension 49 into a closurewall of the container and to form within the part 49 a chamber or receptacle for articles of merchandise of any type or kind. In some types of cases, this compartment may be used for the storage of apparel as in the structure shown in Fig.1.

In Fig. 3, a case part 52 substantially similar to the parts l2, I2a is hingedly coupled as seen at 53 to the outer or free side of the part II, preferably with a hinge as illustrated in Fig. 5. The case part 52 may be used for the storage of apparel of any type or kind. For one illusnation, the entire structure shown in Fig. 3 may simply be a hat box wherein the compartment 5| and the compartment 54 in the part lllb may be used for the storage of other relatively small articles of apparel. Here again, it will be understood that the size and structure of the part 49 may be varied to suit different uses to which the case is designed. The present diagrammatic illustrations in the several figur'esis simply to indicate a few of the possible methods of carrying the invention into effect. In all instances, however, it will appear that the parts I0, Illa, lllb comprise what may be truthfully called basket or tray portions, each including what may be termed a handle 'portion'comprisin'g the upstanding U-shaped frame which mayor may not have a closure wall as taught in Fig. 3.: Here again, it is immaterial whether the bottom container portion extends to both sides or only to one'side of the upstanding frame portion.

In order to clearly illustrate the invention or what may be termed one or the distinctive features of the invention, I have shown in Fig. 4- of the drawing, diagrammatically, an end view of the basket or tray portion of a type of case generally illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This has been designated by the reference character Inc.

In all instances, this basket or tray portion com prises a bottom and relatively shallow container part 55 and an upright frame part 56. At 51 and 58 are shown the sidewalls of the container part 55 to which the other case parts such as l I, I2 are hingedly or otherwise coupled.

In Fig. 4 the upstanding frame part 56 is indicated as arranged centrally of the walls 51 and 58. Thus, it will appear that the two case parts which would be employed in a basket frame structure of this type, would be of equal thickness or depth, whereas in Figs. 1 and 2, they are of different thicknesses or depths. This basket or tray member may be said to comprise a coupling or spacing member between independent case portions when constructed as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, or more generally speaking, a, mounting and closure means for a case portion which would include the structure as shown in Fig. 3.

In the container or gage case structure as defined, it will appear that the so-called basket, or tray part comprises what might be termed a reinforcing frame for the complete container. The tray-like or compartment base having the relatively shallow upstanding peripheral walls forms a strong and rigidbase for the entire container, whereas the super U-frame structure comprising, forexample, the walls l6, II as in Fig. 1, also gives stability and rigidity to this frame and provides a very sturdy receiver and reinforcing means for the open peripheral edge of the two container parts II and I2. It will thus be seen that this frame structure does in fact comprise a basket or tray-like structure extending to one or both sides of the super U- frame, fonming receptacles or recesses in which the container part or parts are movably are ranged.

In all of the forms of construction illustrated, it will be apparent that it is possible to inde- -,dependently pack each of the case parts with said parts separated fromv each other. Further, in the three-part constructions, it will appear that either one of the case parts H or I2 may be opened and closed without disturbing the contents of the other part or parts. In fact, when all the parts are separated or moved into open position, one will not disturb or affect the other.

In utilizing the present invention for the construction of sample cases for use by salesmen and others, the parts Ila and i2a or 52 may be detached from the parts iila, 10b and the latter used for the storage and display of sample goods. In other instances, for example as in Fig; 1, the part II only may [be used for the storage of sample goods and removed from the other case parts without disturbing the remainder of the parts or the articles of apparel which may be stored therein. Still further, the case construction may be utilized simply for the packing, storage and ultimate displayof merchandise, each part being constructed and fitted to suitably pack andlater display the merchandise when the case parts are opened and'separated.

Fromthe foregoing, it will appear that the invention will have many adaptations and uses, and various changes and modifications can of course be made Within the scope of theclaims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An article of luggage comprising a basket part, said'part comprising a base and an upwardly extending open frame, the frame comprising top end walls only thereby defining a space entirely accessible from either open side of the frame above said base, said end walls rising from the end edges of the base and spaced inwardly of the sides thereof, a box shaped container part movably coupled with one side of the base and closing one side opening of the frame, a member closing the other side opening of the frame, said container part and member having boundary walls conforming generally to the contour of the top and endwalls of said frame in the closed position of the luggage, said base at the side of said frame that is closed by said container part having side and end walls forming a four walled compartment opening upwardly, the coupling of said container part with the base being with one side wall of the compartment, and said container part having a wall that is adapted to overly and completely close said compartment in the closed position of the lug age.

2. An article of luggage comprising a basket apart, said part comprising a base and an upwardly extending open frame, the frame comprising top and end walls only thereby defining a space entirely accessible from either open side of the frame above said base, said end walls rising from the end edges of the base and spaced inwardly of the sides thereof, a box shaped container part movably coupled with one side of the base and closing one side opening of the frame, a member closing the other side opening of the frame, said container part and member having boundary walls conforming generally to the contour of the top and end walls of said frame in the closed position of the luggage, said base at the side of said frame that is closed by said container part having side and end walls forming a four walled compartment opening upwardly, the coupling of said container part with the base being with one side wall of the compartment, said container part having a wall that is adapted to overly and completely close said compartment in the closed position of the luggage, partitions dividing said compartment into smaller compartments, and means for suspending garments in said frame and beyond the limits of the frame through the second named side opening.

3. An article of luggage comprising a basket part, said part comprising a base and an upwardly extending open frame, the frame comprising top and end walls only thereby defining a space entirely accessible from either open side of the frame above said base, said end walls rising from the end edges of the base and spaced inwardly of the sides thereof, a box shaped container part movably coupled with one side of the base and closing one side opening of the frame, a member closing the other side opening of the frame, said container part and member having boundary walls conforming generally to the contour of the top and end walls of said frame in the closed position of the luggage, said base at the side of said frame that is closed by said container part having'side and end walls forming a four walled compartment opening upwardly, the coupling of said container part with the base being with one side wall of the compartment, said container part having a wall that is adapted to overly and completely close said compartment in the closed position of the luggage, means for suspending garments in said frame, and means including four walls and a bottom, said bottombeing coupled with one side of said base and movable to closed position, in which the open side of the container abuts said frame, a closure for the open side of said container, said closure being securedto said container and adapted toact as a closure for said space of the frame in the closed \position of the luggage, and a. member hinged to the other side of said base closing the 1 other side of said frame and the corresponding side of the base. I Y

5. An article of luggage comprising a base, an open inverted U-shaped frame extending upwardly from the ends of said base inwardly of the sides thereof, said frame above the base defining a space entirely accessible from either open side of said frame, a box shaped container including four walls and a -bottom,,said bottom being coupled with one side of said vbase and movable to closed position, in which the open side of the container abuts said frame, a closure for the open side of said container, said closur being secured to said container and adapted to act as a. closure for said space of the frame in the closed position of the luggage, a. member hinged to the other side of said base closing the other side of said frame and the corresponding side of the base, said member being detachable from the base, and means movably supported in connection with said frame and adapted to extend through the side of the frame closed by said member for supporting garments within the luggage, and in position extending beyond the frame when said member is removed.

I HERMAN J. RIES. 

